The NIC is a national facility that is geographically spread across the country and was established at Mintek in 2007 by the Department of Science and Technology. The Mintek NIC activities are aimed at addressing the national priorities highlighted by both the national nanotechnology strategy and national research and development (R&D) strategy. The Mintek NIC structure was built on the foundation of the national system of innovations (NSI) to focus on driving South Africa's transformation from a resource-based economy towards a knowledge-based economy using nanotechnology.